The Boomer Consumer is dedicated to helping boomers get what they want in life through using consumer information, making effective choices, and sharing their own experiences.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..

How boomers will transform growing older in America – Part 2

To begin his presentation on baby boomers for a recent housing discussion in Seattle, “Pig in the Python: Design for Aging Forum,” Matt Thornhill, president and co-founder of the Boomer Project, told the audience about how defining events in the lives of baby boomers have shaped the character of this large and interesting demographic.

Those providing housing for older boomers need to understand these characteristics and upcoming trends to determine how to provide housing that will work.

Thornhill offered these five transcendent trends:

One world. The Internet and the global economy are among the forces making the world smaller. Populations in developed countries are growing older, while populations in less developed countries are having more children and getting younger. The interaction between those two groups will be interesting over the next 20 years. Boomers will think locally and act globally because what they’re going to do here will be impacted by what happens somewhere else.

Green and sustainability. With 80 percent of Americans thinking or acting green, green is now mainstream. The sustainability model will replace the current consumer economy model. Building will be green or it won’t occur at all.

New frugality. At midlife, boomers will be more interested in experiences than stuff. The new frugality will be a permanent change. Modest living and modest pricing will be the norm. Those providing housing need to think about this as they make their plans.

Older populations. As the United States and other countries age, attitudes about “old” will change. Older people will be viewed as heroic, inspirational, wise, and visionary. Universal design – barrier-free or accessible design – will be used for everyone.

Social contract renewed. There’s going to be a larger split between the haves and the have-nots. Of the 75 percent of boomers unprepared for retirement, one quarter has saved less than $10,000. Substantial number of boomers will need help as they age. With so many older Americans, ways will be found for older people to be useful. Under a “new” New Deal, funding to provide services for older Americans will change.

For boomers, Thornhill predicts growing old will be changed in five ways:

Retirement. It will be redefined, with boomers will moving in and out of the workforce. They’ll be working in encore jobs, volunteering, and starting their own businesses. Instead of doing what they have to do, they’ll be doing what they want to do. Boomers want to stay in the “game” until it’s “over.” The ideal plan for boomers is to be engaged and active until the end of their lives.

Healthcare. Health care will change from being all about the doctors and the health care system to being about the patient and how he or she engages it. With the access to information that people have, they’re more able to take on that role. Chronic conditions, such as arthritis and heart disease, will increase, as will ways to treat them. Boomers will want to be cared for at home, even if they have a debilitating illness. Boomers, who had fewer children than their parents and a higher divorce rate, will be lacking informal caregivers. This may present problems or opportunities.

Where and how we live. Renovating homes for aging boomers will be a big business for the next 20 years. Boomers will create naturally occurring retirement communities in neighborhoods, where older adults are able to get services such as grocery shopping. Cohousing and other types of intergenerational living will be popular. Pods – a one-bedroom, temporary structure wired to the main house – will be used for older adults. Boomers will embrace city living, rather than suburbia. A shift to using existing infrastructure will occur. For example, older adults could be bused to schools and churches for day care.

New “old” stereotypes. Old will become cool. Who would have predicted 20 years ago that Mick Jagger, at age 62, would be performing at the Super Bowl? Boomers will find useful roles because they want to stay active and vital. Housing providers need to find ways to accommodate boomers where they aren’t pushed off to the side.

Intergenerational dynamics. Intergenerational living is beginning to occur. An example is Swampscott High School, where a section of the school houses the senior center. Housing providers and communities will be looking for opportunities to create more intergenerational projects and neighborhoods.

What should be done to prepare for boomers’ older years? Thornhill said plans should be made so adequate housing and services will be available. Washington is among many states that don’t have a plan on what to do to meet the growing needs of aging boomers, he said.

Thornhill suggested people examine the planning process in Virginia. The Older Dominion Partnership is an initiative by business, government, foundations, and nonprofits to help Virginia ride the boomer age wave.

“Everything you know about senior living is going to be transformed,” Thornhill said. “You’re in a very exciting industry. Make new rules. Throw away the wheel and make a new one. There are opportunities all over the place for this industry.”

Thornhill is co-author of the book “Boomer Consumer: Ten New Rule for Marketing to America’s Largest, Wealthiest, and Most Influential Group.”

The housing forum for older adults was sponsored by AIA Seattle and AARP.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..